I have a separate ssd for windows, but for some reason windows boot files were installed on the linux boot partition. Is there any way I can delete these files? I need to reinstall windows and Id prefer it not to mess with the drives that its not supposed to use.
Post sudo parted -l so we can have an idea of your disk setup.
Model: ATA ADATA SU650 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 512GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
1 1049kB 17.8MB 16.8MB Microsoft reserved partition msftres, no_automount
2 17.8MB 511GB 511GB ntfs Basic data partition msftdata, no_automount
3 511GB 512GB 765MB ntfs hidden, diag, no_automount
Model: ATA WDC WD10EARS-00Y (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 1000GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Disk Flags:
Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 1049kB 1000GB 1000GB primary ext4
Model: Samsung SSD 980 250GB (nvme)
Disk /dev/nvme0n1: 250GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
1 2097kB 2150MB 2147MB fat32 EFI boot, esp
2 2150MB 241GB 238GB ext4 endeavouros
3 241GB 250GB 9449MB linux-swap(v1) swap
Model: HP SSD FX900 Pro 1TB (nvme)
Disk /dev/nvme1n1: 1024GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
1 1049kB 971GB 971GB ext4
2 971GB 1024GB 53.5GB
Normally, the Windows’ installer scans all the disks and it will use the first FAT32 partition with boot,esp flag to install its bootloader files to.
I assume that you installed your Windows after your Linux and even though you chose a separte disk, you are now seeing its boot folders and files on your Linux’ ESP.
Please provide more context:
What bootloader are you using on your Linux?
Are you able to boot your Windows from your Linux boot screen now or plan to do it when you re-install your Windows?
I use grub and I can boot windows from the grub menu
Alright, that’s fine!
So if you are going to reinstall your Windows, you could do either of the following:
Remove the boot,esp flag from your Linux’ ESP and re-install Windows on that other disk.
Or
If you want to be absolutely certain to eliminate any risk whatsoever that Windows would touch your Linux disk, disconnect it temporarily, re-install Windows on that other disk and connect back your Linux disk.
When all is done, update your Grub configuration in Linux. And finally delete all old Microsoft stuff from your Linux’ ESP.
Thanks, how to remove “flags” from disk and what impact will this have?
You can use a GUI partition manager like Gparted or KDE partitionmanager. When you mark the partition, you bring up a menu by right-clicking on it or from the tool bar. There you should see an option to manage flags.
It won’t have any impact on the installed system. It is only needed when installing the system. The path to Grub’s bootloader efi binary is already registered in your BIOS.
Contrary to what is the case for boot,esp flags on your Linux’ ESP, Windows seems to be needing them for its updates/upgrades to go through. So keep the flags on the Windows’ ESP.